Biden prsser evokes mixed reactions

Two prominent Democrats endorse president

WASHINGTON:

US President Joe Biden press conference on Thursday night provided fodder for his supporters and doubters alike, but several Democratic strategists said on Friday his performance would not significantly shift the debate within the party whether he should stand for re-election.

As Democratic officeholders, donors and activists try to determine whether Biden is their best bet to defeat Trump in the November 5 election, the 81-year-old incumbent got a boost from two prominent Democrats who said he should stay in the White House race.

Biden held a high-profile press conference On Thursday to beat back doubts about his candidacy. But at one point, he referred to his vice president, Kamala Harris, as “Vice President Trump”. Hours earlier he introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as “President Putin” at the NATO summit.

Yet he was openly supported by two Democrat leaders, including the one tipped as a possible successor. California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was sticking with Biden as well. “I’m all in. No daylight,” Newsom, 56, who is widely seen as the future of the party, said in an interview.

Representative James Clyburn, 83, a respected voice among Black Americans whose support is essential to Biden’s 2024 campaign, said on NBC’s “Today” programme that “I’m riding with Biden no matter which direction he goes.”

But there were signs that Biden’s support was weakening. Two congressional Democrats urged Biden to drop his bid on Friday, following at least three who called for him to drop out on Thursday night. At least 19 lawmakers have called on him to step aside so the party can pick another candidate.

Lawmakers are increasingly concerned that Biden’s struggling campaign could complicate their efforts to retain control of the Senate and win back the House. They are also worried that Biden’s low approval ratings could cause them to lose seats.

Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, said he met with Biden on Thursday night to convey the range of thoughts his 213-member caucus held about Biden’s candidacy. He did not say whether he personally thought Biden should stay in the race.

With most US voters firmly divided into ideological camps, opinion polls show the race remains close. Several Democratic strategists said Biden’s performance would not significantly shift the debate within the party. Reuters